Fire-extinguishing system



F. A. EPPS. FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED 0011,1919.

Patented July 4, 1922.

fire.

system is not necessarily limited to the foamorder FRANK A. EPPS OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 FOAMITE FIREFO-AM COELTPANY,

OF NEW- YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FIRE-EXTTNGUISHIN G SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 1,1919. Serial No. 327,759.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. Errs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- Extinguishing Systems, of whichthe' following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire extinguishing systems and particularly to systems of the dry pipe type in which a pump is used to supply the extinguishing medium to the distributing point.

In certain types of fire extinguishing systems .it has been the practice to utilize a pump to provide the pressure under which the extinguishing fluid is propelled through the system in case of fire, the pump normally being inactive, with means operated in the presence of a fire to start the pump. This type of system isparticularly valuable when the foam-producing type of extinguishing medium is used, as the component liquids used to produce the foam are ordinarily maintained in separatejtanks, and it I is desirable to use a pump to supply the liquid under pressure: in case of fire in i0 avoid maintainingthe tanks under pressure and to permit the replenishing of the li uids therein during the progress of a t will be apparent, however, that my.

producing type of extinguishing system,

It is likewise highly desirable to maintain the pipes of such a system free from the liquid except in case of emergency, particularly to avoid freezing in .the pipes and corrosion thereof by the liquid. This result is ordinarily obtained by filling the {pipes with compressed air and introducing a check valve, ordinarily of the differential type generally known as a dry pipe valvej the use of whieh permits a relatively low air pressure in the pipes to prevent the flow of liquid under considerably greater pressure. When pumps have been utilized, however,

the fact that the liquid is not under pressure has permitted the use of an ordinary check valve at the point of contact between the compressed air in the pipes and the liquid supply. While this may be located either between the sourceof liquid supply and the pump or between the pump and the distributing system the former location necessarily fills the pump with compressed air, while the latter subjects the pump to the continued corrosive action of the liquid.

Patented July 4, 1922. a

foam producing ,liquids, it is practically necessary to keep the pump free from the liquid when standing idle; but regardless of the liquid used, this arrangement is highly desirable, due to the expense of replacing pump parts and linings eroded (by the liquid.

These two difficulties have been avoided by providing a system utilizing a source of liquid suppl under pressure insuflicient to supply the liquid at the distributing point; a pump for providing the pressure; a distributing system filled with compressed air; and means for maintaining. the pump free from both the liquid and the compressed air.

The system has also been arranged so that the drop in pressure of thecompressed air caused by the opening of a distributing valve or vent in the presence of fire will operate both to start the pump and to bring the extinguishing liquid to the pump. I

.There also has been provided means for accelerating the delivery of the extinguishing fluid to the pump when a sudden drop in pressure in the compressed air occurs, an operation which is highly desirable when a differential valve is used for the purpose of restrainin the liquid, under the common practice. It has been found that with such a differential valve, which operates under a substantial margin of safety, a considerable drop in air pressure is necessary to release the valve and permit the flow of liquid.

'ditions as to pressure of the liquid, pressure I celerator, may be omitted under proper conin the air system, and size of distributing vent, as it is not essential to the operat1on of the system. In its preferred form it 1s operated by the rate of drop in pressure and not by the extent of drop, which prevents its operation in the presence of the slow leakage'incidnt to most systems, but bringing the accelerator into operation inflthe presence of fire conditions almost immediately, considerably before the pressure of the compressed air has dropped to the point of parent that this is, merely illustrative, as

obviously many parts of the two systems might be used in common, especially when other dtypes of. distributing elements are em- 7 plcge ther objects and advantages of this ina duplex system, the differential valves being" vention will be apparent from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a partly diagrammatic view of shown in section and,

Figure 2 is a detail side view of the accelerator, 'the working parts being shown in vertical section,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of thecheckvalve.

As the two distributing systems are practically the same, only onev will be described in detail. Each system includes a source of supply for an extin uishing fluid,'. which may be a tank 10, as indicated in fragmentar view in Fig.1. The fluid is conveyed rom the source to pump 11 through a pipe 12 which is normally closed by a check valve 13, pipe 14 connecting the check valveand the pump 11 and conveying the fluid to the pump when the check valve is opened.

The riser 15 conducts the -fluid from the pump to the outlet. While the sprinklerhead type of distributing s stem is illustrated it will be ap arent t at this is entirely incidental ast e system may be used with equal eflectiveness with othertypes of distributing means such as the large distributing head used on oil tanks or in connection with mixers attached tohose lines or the like. In the type illustrated, riser 15 is, provided with one or more lateral pipe lines 16 carrying sprinkler heads 17, and where the systemis used with an extinguishing medium composed of'two liquids mixed at the distrib-' uting point, parallel adjacent lateral lines 16 are preferabl' provided, each line being connected to a iflerent riser 15, and both being preferably connected to each sprinkler-head 17, orother distributing element,

as by connection 18.

Means is provided for preventlng the en- 'tran'ce of the extinguishing fluid into iser 1.5 which preferably is accomplishe 'by filling the riser and lateral'pipes '16 with compressed air any way, as-by connectmg them with an air pump (not shown) adapted to maintain the air in the riser and lateral lines at a predetermined pressure. Means is provided for preventing the entrance ofthe compressed air into pump 11, said-means preferably consisting of a check valve 19 which may be located immediately adjacent the pump. This'valve may be of any desired type but it is desirable toemploy prevent the water sealed form of valve to leakage of air. I v

Means is provided for preventing the extinguishing fluid from entering the pump 11,

said-means preferably consisting of valve 13 located at the junction between pipes 12 and leand serving to close pipe 12 against the normal pressure of the fluid. This valve isillustrated as being of the differential type, preferabl consisting of what isordinarily terme a dry pipe valve and isv normally held in closed position torestrain the flow of the fluid by means of the pressure of the air in the distributing system, which is connected tothe valve through pipe 20 practically constituting a bypass around the pump. Check valve 13 preferably includes two valve flaps, an upper flap '21 being hinged to the valve casing and serving to revent the passage of the compressed air rom pipe 20 into-pipe 14, thus constituting means for preventing the air pressure from reaching the ump on the suction side. A second valve .ap 22 is provided for closing p1pe 12 and is preferably connected; to flap 21, being substantially smaller in size than sald flap ,21 so that a relatively small. air

valve flap 21 will serve to malntain pipe 12 closed under considerably greater pressure of the extinguishing fluid. If desired a check valve 23 may also be inserted in pipe 20 adapted'to prevent the exhausting of the air pressure inthe distributin system upon. opening or removing any 0 the parts coin nected to the check valve jand associated mechanism and also 'to prevent the circulation of the extinguishing medium through pipe 20 from the pressure sideto the suction side of the pump when the latter is in operation. Check valve 23 if usedis provided with a small vent'which permits the air'to bleed 115 pressure bearing against the ripper side-of from riser 15 into the lower part of pipe 20, i

so that the pressure in the distributing system'and in pipe 20 will beequallzed under normal conditions. Means for starting the pump 11 is provided preferably operated by a drop in air pressure in the distributing vent under fire conditions. The ordinary type of pressure-controlled starter as for example, the Clarke starter, shown in the patent to Lufkin, No. 578,606, such starter being diagrammatically indicated at 24 and is preferably connected to pipe 20. It will be apparent that whether a single or duplex system is used onlyone automatic starting element'24 will be needed;

A drain 25 is preferably provided for maintaining pipe 14 clear of liquid such as leakage past valve flap 22. 1

The operation of the system as so far described will bej-apparent 5 but a short sum- -mary will be given. Under normal conditions the distributin system including riser 15, laterals 16, and pipes 20, are filled with air under any desired pressure, which may be approximately fifty pounds. Extinguishing fluid may be contained in tank 10 and the pressure thereof at valve 13 is ordinarily merely that produced by gravity; but the normal pressure ma "be augmented in any preferred way within the scope of my invention. Differential valve 13 is so proportioned that the air pressure in they distributing system is sufficient to prevent the flow of the fluid into pipe 14. Upon the occurrence of a fire a distributing vent such as sprinklerhead 17 is opened, and the escape of compressed air results in a drop in air'pressure communicated through riser 15 to pipe 20, whereupon check valve 23 opens, and starter 24 is actuated, starting the pump. At the same time the reduction in pressure behind valve flap 21 reaches a point where the pressure of the liquid in pipe 12 raises valve flap 22 and the fluid flows directly to the: pump and through riser 15 to the distributing system, check valve 19 being released by the pressure from the pump.

' While the system as described is operative and complete in itself, means may be provided if desired for accelerating the action of check valve 13 to supply the fluid to the pump at the earliest possible moment. This preferably consists of means for rapidly opening a bypass between pipe 20 and pipe 14 so as to equalize the pressure on both sides of valve flap 21, under which conditions any slight pressure of the liquid in pipe 12 will be; sufficient to cause the valve to open, permitting the fluid to flow direct to the pump.

I have disclosed one form of mechanism.

As shown best in Figure 2 the accelerator mechanism preferably includes a lower chamber 26 connected to the compressed air system, as by pipe 27 opening into pipe 20.

.The upper chamber 28 is likewise connected the passage of air through said pipe only at a relatively slow rate, the partition being of any desired form, such as a diaphragm, flap or gate valve, or a porous or perforated partition, alundum being suitable for the purpose. A bypass 31 containing a hand valve 32 may be provided for putting the system into operation, but normally remains closed. The lower chamber 26 is connected to pipe 14 by pipe 33, the up er end of which is closed by valve 34. A exible diaphragm 35 is mounted between chambers26 and 28 and in contact with a slidably .mounted plunger 36. A weight 37 is supported by an" arm 38' pivoted to the casing and having a toe 39 adjacent valve 34.

The operation of the accelerator is as follows. The pressure in the distributing system is communicatedthrough pipes 27 and,

29 to chambers 26 and 28 which normally are under equal pressure. 'A change in pressure in pipe 20 will be immediately transmitted to chamber 26, but can only be communicated to chamber 28 by the escape of air therefrom through artition 30. As this process is relatively s ow, a difference in premure between chambers 26 and 28 is created, the extent of which is determined by the rate of change in the pressure in pipe 20. If the change is caused by leakage or other minor reasons no effect will be prov duced, as the change in pressure would be too gradual; but upon the occurrence of a.

fire and the consequent relatively rapid drop in pressure the higher pressure in chamber 28 forces diaphragm 35 inward, sliding plunger 36 against weight 37. The weight is normally balanced upon its pivot, and may rest on the top of valve 34; but when shifted by plunger 36 it falls backward, rais ing toe 39, which opens valve 34, providing a direct connection or bypass between the distributing system and pipe 14 and equalizing the pressure on both sides of the valve flap 21.

If a duplex system is employed it will be apparent that, although an accelerator has been shown as used with eachpart of the system, that both parts of the system need not be supp-lied with. individual accelerators.

While I have described the preferred form of my invention and indicated certain variations thereof, it will be apparent that many other changes and substitutions may be made within the scope of my invention as set forth in this specification.

I claim; I 1. In a fire extinguishing system, 1n com bination, a source of supply for the extin guishing medium, means for conductmg the p ,medium to a distributing point, means connected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcing the medium from the source of supply through the conducting means, a fluid filling said conducting 5 'ing means, means for preventing the flow of the compressed air into the forcing means, and means "for preventing the flow of the medium into the forcing means.

3. In a fire extinguishing system, in com: bination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, means for conducting the medium to a distributing point, means connected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcing the medium from the source of supply through the con ducting means,fcompressed airfiliing said conducting means, means for preventing the flow of the compressed air into the forcing means, and means for preventing the flow of the medium into the forcing means released by a reduction in pressure of the compressed air to permit the flow of the medium from the source to the forcing means.

4. In a fire extinguishing system, in combination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pum to a distribution point, afiuid filling the conducting means, means for preventing the how of the fluid intothe pump, and means for preventing the how of the medium into the pump.

5. In a fire extinguishing system, in combination, a source of supply forthe extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, a fluid filling the conducting means, means for pr-eventing the flow of the fluid into the pump, and means, actuated by the pressure of said fluid, for preventing the flow of the medium into the pump.

,6'. In a fireextinguishing system, in combination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pum to a distribution point, compressed air filling the conductlng means,

means for preventing the flow of the compressed air into the pump, and means for preventing the flow of the medium into the 1 ump. -7. In a fire extinguishing system, in combination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, compressed air filling the conducting means, means for preventing the flow of the compressed air into the pump,and means, a tuated by the pressure of said compressed air.

for preventing the flow of .the medium into the pump.

8. In a fire extinguishingsystem, in combination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, com-' therewith, means for conducting the medium I from the pump to a distribution point, compressed air ,filling the conducting means, means for preventing the :flow of the compressed air into the pump, and means for preventing the How of the medium into the pump automatically released, by decrease in pressure of the compressed air, in the pres ence of fire conditions to permit .the medium to flow to the pump.

10. In a fire extinguishing system, in combination, a pump, a source of supply containing a fire extinguishing medium normally tending to flow to the pump, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, compressed air normally filling said conducting means, a valve for preventing the flow of the medium from the source to the pump, adapted to be released by a. decrease in pressure of the com pressed air to permit said flow, and a check valve for preventing the compressed air from entering the pump.

- 11 In a fire extinguishing system, in combination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, means bination, a source of supply for the entinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, compressed air normally filling said conducting means, means actuated by a decrease in pressure of the compressed air, for automatically startingthe pump, and means for preventing the flow of the medium from the source of supply to the pump, adapted to be re leased by the reduction in. pressure of the compressed air in the conducting means, to permit said flow.

13. In a fire extinguishing system, in combination, a source of supply for them:- tinguishing medium, means for conducting the medium to a distribution point, vmeansconnected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcin the medium from the source of supply irough the conducting means, compressed air normally filling the conductingmeans, means for preventing the flow of the medium from the source of supply to the forcing means, and means for releasing said flow preventing means, operated in the presence of a reduction in the pressure of the compressed air at a rate greater than a predetermined minimum rate of decrease.

14. In a fire extinguishing system, in comhination, a source of supply for the extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution polnt, compressed air normally filling said conducting means, means for preventing the flow of the medium to the pump, and means, actuated to release said flow preventing means in the presence of a decrease in the pressure of the compressed air at a rate greater than a predetermined minimum rate of decrease.

15. In a fire extinguishing"system, in com-- bination, a source of supply containing a fire extinguishing medium, a pump associated therewith, means for conducting the medium from the pump to a distribution point, compressed air normally filling said conductin means, a valve controlled by the pressure of said compressed air to prevent the flow of the medium from the source to the pump, and means, operative in the presence of a decrease in pressure of the compressed air at a rate greater than a predetermined minimum rate, to release the efiective pressure of the compressed air upon the valve, permitting it to open and allow the medium to flow to the pump.

l6.-I-n a fire extinguishing system of the two-solution foam-producing type, a sepa rate source of supply for each solution, means for conducting each solution separately to a common point of distribution, compressed air normally filling saidvconducting means, means connected to the air therein, to render sai forcing means operative.

17. In afire extinguishing'system of the two-solution foam-producing type, a separate source of supply for each solution, means for conductingfeachsolution separately tofa common point of distribution,

compressed air normally'filling said conducting means, pumping means connected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcing the solutions from their sources to the distributing point, means for maintainingthe pumping means free from compressed air, means for normally preventing the fiow of each solution from its source to the umping means, and means for simultaneous y releasing said flow preventing means to permit both solutions to flowI to the pumping means.

18; n a fire extinguishing system of the two-solution foam-producing type, a separate source of supply for each solution, means for conducting each solution separately to a common point of distribution, compressed air normally filling said con ducting means, pumping means connected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcing each solution from its- ;source to the distributing point, means for normally preventing the flow of each solution from its source to the pumping means, controlled by the pressure of the compressed air and adapted to be released in the presence of a simultaneous reduction in pressure of said air in the conducting means for both solutions.

19. In a fire extinguishing system of the two-solution foam-producing type, a separate source of supply for each solution, means for conducting each solution separately to a common point of distribution, compressed air normally filling said conducting means, pumping means connected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcing each solution from its source to the distributing point, means for normally preventing the flow. of each solution from its source to the pumping means controlled by the pressure of the compressed air in the conducting means, and means for simultaneously automatically releasing said preventing means in the presence of fire conditions to permit thefiow of both solutions 20. In a fire extinguishing system of the two-solution foam-producing type,-a separate source of supply for each solution, means for conducting each solution separately to a common point of distribution, compressed air normally filling said conducting means, pumping means connected to the source of supply and to the conducting means for forcing each solution from its source to the distributing point, means for normally preventing the fiovv of each solution from its source to the pumping means controlled by the pressure of the compressed air in the conducting means and adapted to be released by a decrease in pressure of the compressed air, and means, located adjacent the distributing point, adapted to open a vent in the conducting means for both solutions simultaneously so as to decrease the air pressure and simultaneously start the flow of both solutions to the pumping means.

means for starting the pumping means, and

means operable in the presence of fire for simultaneously automatically releasing said preventing means for both solutions, and actuating said pump starting means.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 30th day of Sept, A. D. 1919..

FRANK A. EPPS. 

